Cash Prizes at Events..

[motostar99]

Hey all,

I was looking at a flyer for the QLD Bike Trials Weekend (pusbike trials) and noticed they are giving a $250 Cash Prize to the weekend Champion in the Pro Class. As a non-member it costs $25 per day to ride, so I guess it would only be about $15 or so as a member.

It makes me wonder why no trials clubs are able to do this for big events such as the Australian and State Titles? We all know there is only a handful of Open Solo riders so it wouldn't be of a benefit to the majority of people if it was just for the highest class. But still, it makes me wonder.

I realise the clubs take next to nothing from an event, so this could be the answer to why it doesn't get done. Just wondering if anyone had any insight, and whether this was something they used to do back when trials was bigger in Aus, or is it just something that has never happened??

Nic

[ianrogers]

Opening a big can of worms there me thinks Nico!!!!!!
Could take trophy hunting to a whole new level never before seen in the sport if you get my drift?

[Twinshock]

Hey Nic
When you break the incoming revenue down to cover all aspects of the costs involved including any fees paid to the landowner, award costs, MQ fees and with an open event entry of about 70 riders you would be paying an "open" winner about $20.00 and B & C grade winners about $10.00 & $6.00 each and of course we musn't forget 2nd & 3rd places.
There just isn't the money available from the sizes of entry we are getting up here to be able to do it in either an affiliated or non affilliated club set up.

Just stick to polishing/dusting your trophies and reminising every 10 years or so
Cheers
Twinshock
(Rog G)

[Gary B]

Nic,
Many many years ago Wollongong MCC managed to get some sponsorship from a local electrical store & the prize for 1st place outright was a big colour TV.
I'm talking back in the 70's here & this was a big deal.
All the top riders where shitty all day as they all wanted to win such a great prize.
All the normal comradery was gone & the lower ability riders felt excluded as they knew they had no hope.

Give them all bits of plastic instead & everybodies happy !!!!

[bigdamo]

I'd rather a trophy over cash any day maybe because i don't have one.

But a trophy is for ever cash is gone real quick.

Unless you are talking in the thousands but that ain't going to happen real soon and never for my grade.

[motostar99]

Basically everything that has been said is what I figured, and things I've thought about.

Diddly - Agreed completely! I think the only grades you could run it for without having at least 4 or 5 people hunting that should be in a higher grade would be B grade and A grade. Apart from that most trials are filled with usual hunters that finish days on 3 points or less!

Roger - I thought quite as much when it comes to cash flow. I know most of the clubs come away with barely anything, so I figured that was a big reason why. And besides, if there was more cash floating around the first place it should go is into some more promotion of the sport!

Gary - Interesting to see how things change when all of a sudden people have an opportunity to ride for something of value! I guess everybody in the trials scene accepts the fact that they're never going to get anything from it when it comes to riding in Australia. Awarding a big prize must've shocked them into forgetting what it's all about!

bigdamo - I think i'd have to say I agree with you, unless of course I broke a couple of levers, or did some damage to my bike in a trial that needed $$ to fix! I have the couple of trophies I picked up last year sitting beside me at my computer desk, and I'd much rather look at them than get $50 that will go on a phone bill next week...

Thanks for your responses all! Just put the thought in my head when I saw the bike trials poster so thought I'd put the question out there and see what people had to bring to the table...

Nic

[Twinshock]

Good on ya Nic, the sport needs new blood to ask questions and take on responsibility and give old farts like me a rest.
The way we used to do it is not the way it will be done in the future, if that was the case we would still be riding heavyweights,,,,, but after seeing Fuji's crash last weekend I wonder if it is going in the right direction at the moment. Good job he and Bou were riding moderns
Cheers
Rog G
(AKA Twinshock)

[BAT Woman]

Hey Nic,
I also was stunned when I went from riding trials for years to competing in cycling events. I think the difference is the number of bicycle shops & the number of people riding bikes, there is big money in it. They have it sorted though because it is not just money you get. I won the Australian Master Women's Class one year & received $150, Australian Champion Jersey, Gold Medallion, Silver Cup & a bootie of cycling goods. During the National Rounds if you do well the money you win will pay for your trip, plus a leader's jersey to race in plus cycling goodies. They also throw on random prizes. I won a $2,500 pair of XTR wheels one year, the kids have won helmets, etc., my training partner a very decent bike. I have also won endless accessories like computers, clusters, chains, tyres, lights, clothing, camelbaks, gift vouchers, physio bike set ups, etc, etc.
Cycling also has the numbers for the comps. I raced in a club MTB XC race at the weekend & there were 224 riders.
Trials has a handful of dealers & a very small base of riders. It just does not generate the money to make it profitable to compete. We just have to compete for the fun of it & the odd trophy.
Mind you the dealers we do have a extremely generous, for 7 years they have supported the Women's Cup & provided $1,000's worth of gear & trophies. They always support the Aussie Titles & provide a great service. We really cannot complain.
You can always go cycling to supplement you trials riding!
Catch ya,
Bev